7 Ways to Reduce Cleaning Time at Home

I hate cleaning. Really, really hate it. Chances are you do too since it’s time we could instead be spending by doing something we actually love.

In fact, I hate cleaning so much I even invested in one of those robot vacuum cleaners a few years ago. It seemed like a great investment at the time, especially if it meant no more vacuuming. HA! That was too good to be true. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a little bit awesome, but it doesn’t replace the need to vacuum. It only reduces the frequency.

Still, it was a step in the right direction for a lazy girl cleaner like me, who would rather have fun than clean.

Thankfully there are other ways to reduce cleaning time, and simplify your life, so you can get your house clean faster, leaving you more time for the things you would rather be doing. And requiring less last minute speed cleans if unexpected guests are on their way.

Photo credit: Fastcodesign.com

11 Ways to Reduce Cleaning Time at Home

1. Set a Schedule

If you have cleaning schedule in place, you will stay on top of the regular cleaning chores so you won’t end up playing catch up with a mega clean up once it all builds up. Cleaning schedules can also help you make the most of your time by doing similar cleaning tasks on the same day.

2. Consider Time Save Gadgets

Like my robo vacuum, there are certain gadgets that can reduce cleaning time in your home, by doing part of the job for you. This may be a matter of investing in modern appliances such as self-cleaning ovens (they don’t entirely clean but they do bake off the bulk of the oven build up), or a steam iron to get through your iron pile quicker.

One that has made a big difference recently to my cleaning time is having a cordless vacuum cleaner. My LG Cordzero C5 Cannister means no plugging in and unplugging, then plugging in somewhere else to vacuum the whole house. Plus I’m more likely to do mini vacuums in between now, because it’s easy to just turn it on and go. This means my overall vacuuming time is significantly reduced. Winner!

3. Have Less Stuff

Yes, I know… reforming your hoarding ways can be tough. Trust me, I know. But less stuff means less cleaning. Imagine having less to pick up and less to dust, scrub and tidy. Less stuff saves time. You can grab my awesome room by room declutter tips and checklists to help you part ways with your clutter.

4. Eliminate Clutter Hot Spots

If there are certain places in your house, like your kitchen bench, your desk or bedside table for example, where you seem to always dump stuff instead of putting it in it’s proper place, it’s time to eliminate them now. Resist the temptation of dumping clutter in certain spots, or if you can’t resist the habit, create a place for that purpose such as a basket or drawer, and make it part of your weekly routine to sort it out completely.

5. Build Family Routines

Cleaning isn’t just your responsibility (unless you live alone). Chances are there are other members of your household you can be training up to reduce cleaning time. Give your kids weekly age appropriate chores, and maybe a dollar or two for their efforts so you can start teaching them about money too. Double bonus! And get those other adults in the household to keep up with their fair share too.

6. Create New Habits

A great tip mum gave me was to keep a scrubber or cloth in the shower, along with some shower cleaning spray. Every day before you hop out, give the shower a quick wipe down and once a week give it a spray and wipe with the cleaner. This will help reduce cleaning time by avoiding that shower scum build up and need for serious elbow grease. Try this method in other areas of the home too when 30 seconds spent cleaning every day may reduce the hour needed once a month otherwise.

7. Cook and Clean

When you are busy making culinary delights in the kitchen, have your sink filled up with hot soapy water so you can wash as you go in between cooking steps. This can save heaps of time, since not only do baking dishes come clean easier if they haven’t been sitting, it will reduce cleaning time at the end of the meal when half the mess is already taken care of. The rest you can pop into the dishwasher or finish washing by hand.

Do you have any tips to reduce cleaning time at home?

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About Holly

Holly is the Editor and Owner of Simplify Create Inspire. She is an Aussie mum, wife, and corporate drop-out, focused on simplifying and finding that elusive work/life balance, while juggling her own business. She also owns a family travel blog to document her other big passion, - exploring the world.

I love these tips – something I need to get more into – especially the clutter hot spots. They are our biggest issue. Otherwise I’ve got an awesome rotation schedule that requires very little each day, now if I can only make sure I get those little things done each day so they don’t back up!

I am the WORST cleaner. I hate it. I try to do little things as I go. I.e. empty the kitchen sink drainers everytime i see they have gunk in them, never leave a cupboard or drawer open (you’d be amazed how messy it makes a room look!) And take things with me everytime i leave a room like plates and cups to the kitchen, personal items (clothes, shoes, jerwelwry, hair clips) to the bedroom/ bathroom rather than having the sprawled all through living areas. I also open mail and throw all packaging/ junk fillers out immediately even better in the outside bin before it makes it into the house!

I’m right there with you on that last one. Some mail doesn’t even make the house. And all envelopes and junk goes ASAP. I also file important stuff immediately but recently changed from in tray filing to a filing cabinet. Hubby hasn’t caught on and keeps putting mail on top of my work paperwork now in the in tray haha grrrrrr!

We have a cleaning schedule at home. Everyone has to pitch in with some tasks. Even our daughter has the responsibility to make sure her room is tidy and all the toys are in their places. My husband is responsible for the cleanliness of the bathrooms, because he simply does it better than me. I am responsible for vacuuming, dusting and other similar tasks. I think our routine works out pretty well, because we do it as a family, and I don’t have to take care of everything myself (I don’t have the time anyway).

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Welcome! I'm Holly, a work at home mum of two young girls, on a journey to simplify our household. This is my place to share the ideas, inspirations and processes to help you to simplify, save, create and build a life that you love. Read More…